KAPA‘A — Randy Francisco, president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, had this dream for four years. “When I got to Kaua‘i four years ago, I saw the nonprofits being the safety net, doing the things government couldn’t do,” Francisco
KAPA‘A — Randy Francisco, president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, had this dream for four years.
“When I got to Kaua‘i four years ago, I saw the nonprofits being the safety net, doing the things government couldn’t do,” Francisco said. “This is a way to thank them for the services they provide to the people of the community.”
Wednesday night, 13 nonprofit agencies, all members of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, gathered under the clock tower of the Kaua‘i Village shopping center for a Business After Hours event hosted by the shopping center and The Children of the Land, or Na Keiki O Ka ‘Aina.
“Randy had a dream to have an event like this to have the nonprofits showcased,” said Mary Williamson of the American Cancer Society Kaua‘i chapter. “Each of the nonprofits here can’t afford to have its own Business After Hours on our own.”
During the event attended by close to 100 Chamber members, guests mingled through the various exhibits and were able to sample food from different community establishments.
“This is almost like a giant potluck,” Williamson said. “Everything clicked when the owner of the shopping center said he was new to the community and approached Randy Francisco about wanting to do something.”
Cliff Ogata, managing director of Diversified Equity, the Kaua‘i Village owners who also own eight shopping centers located throughout Hawai‘i, got the help of Ikaika Rawlins, the leasing agent from CB Richard Ellis, and Michael Oh, the real estate manager from CBRE, in presenting each of the 13 participating nonprofit agencies with a check for $250, for a total of $3,250, a surprise for all of the participating agencies who were just glad for the opportunity to network with chamber guests.
“We joined the chamber to get involved with the community,” Ogata said. “And this is an exciting chapter. It is said that it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a great team to raise a village.”
Francisco said during these tight economic times, the nonprofits have seen demand for services rise as government cutbacks and the tight economy has seen more people turning to the agencies for help.
“This event is to celebrate the nonprofits for the work they do,” Francisco said. “We have agencies representing a wide range of service from feeding people, cancer, and even domestic violence. They do everything else that government cannot do, and they’re all chamber members. This is a way we can show them our appreciation for what they do.”
Changes at Kaua‘i Village
During the short presentation, Ogata also announced some changes in the 20-year-old shopping center anchored by national chains Longs Drug Store and Safeway Food & Drug.
“Safeway has already spent money in creating its Lifestyle Store, refurbishing inside and out,” Ogata said. “We’ve worked with them in resurfacing the parking area, buffing up the area with more native plants and improved the water circulation in the ponds.”
Ogata said by shopping-center standards Kaua‘i Village is still in its puberty at 20 years old.
“We’ve rebuilt one of the three bridges and the remaining two will be worked on shortly,” Ogata said. “We’re excited.”
In what he described as a “world-breaking announcement,” Ogata said artist Wyland has committed to replacing the two marine murals that are part of Kaua‘i Village.
“The one on the clock tower, ‘Humpback at Na Pali,’ and the one on the walls of Longs Drugs, ‘Time for Conservation,’ are Nos. 28 and 29 in his 100-mural series,” Ogata said, adding there are seven Wyland murals throughout Hawai‘i. “His 100th mural was completed in 2008 in China, making his work international.”
Ogata said he is looking for a group to “adopt” the project to help with fundraising because Wyland offered to do the work gratis, but wants it done in part by the children of the community.
“All of this is scheduled to start before the end of the year,” Ogata said.
Agencies taking part in the Chamber Business After Hours included the American Red Cross Kaua‘i chapter, Kaua‘i Humane Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i, American Cancer Society, YWCA, Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Kaua‘i Health & Wellness Association, Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance, Leadership Kaua‘i, Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity and The Children of the Land.
Visit www.kauaichamber.org, or call 245-7363 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
